Beauty Obsessions: April 2017

The expression goes: April showers bring May flowers. April is definitely showering me with tons of great new beauty finds that I know will have me feeling all rosy & pretty by the time May comes along! Check out these gems (click the product links in the item reviews below to buy):

MAKEUP: Givenchy Rouge Interdit Vinyl Lipstick in “Nude Ravageur 01” – $34: In last month’s Beauty Finds post, I had discovered the new Givenchy lippie collection & fell in love with the sheer formulation in heavenly shades. I loved them so much I wanted to test out even more colors. They still haven’t let me down. This nude color is killer! So natural and just the right amount of subtle color.

HOME: Maison Martin Margiela Replica Candle in “Jazz Club” – $60: Beauty products aren’t just for your face and body. Your environment and the mood it evokes in you are all part of what helps make you feel beautiful. So making your home smell like a reminiscent memory is a great mood booster! I actually came across this candle collection from another blogger and decided to order a candle blindly online based solely on its description since I was unable to smell it in person. Maison Martin Margiela’s “Jazz Club” candle smells exactly as it is described – a masculine musky cigar-like scent that you may find in a Brooklyn Jazz Club. Personally, I prefer more smooth velvety masculine scents over light floral ones. That’s not to say their “Clean Linen” or “Beach” candles wouldn’t be something I would try, but as a first-time purchase, this scent nailed it for me! Honestly, my new favorite candle! Every day, I look forward to getting home to light it🕯 This is also a great host/hostess gift idea!

HAIR: Bumble & Bumble Curl Style Defining Creme – $31: While I don’t have curly hair, my husband does. He asked me to help him find a curl defining product that won’t be sticky or feel heavy. After trying multiple products, he claims this is the one! It creates flexible curls with separation without feeling like there is product in it.

MAKEUP: Milk Makeup Blur Stick – $36: This newcomer is a great get-up-and-go solution to smooth pores and blur fine lines. It can be used alone for a beautiful healthy, clean skin effect or under foundation for more coverage. Personally, I like to use it before soul cycle in the morning just to give me that teeny bit of coverage I crave. I’m also really looking forward to trying the Milk Makeup Highlighter, which I hope to test out before next month’s post.

MAKEUP: Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in “Bombshell” – $20: Nowadays every company seems to be coming out with liquid matte lip products so we get to be a little pickier when it comes to the quality we demand. I was so excited when Sephora started selling the line that used to only be available direct from Huda Kattan’s website out of the UAE, making shipping to the US a little more complicated. Anyhow, this matte was worth the wait! It stays on while still feeling hydrating. This color is a beautiful pinky nude that looks a little more on the clay side on my lips. The color reminds me a bit of the Kat Von D “Lolita” matte liquid lipstick or Limecrime’s “Riot”, but slightly more pink.

HAIR: KeraCare Edge Tamer – $10.29: I’ve been addicted to wearing my hair in 2 Dutch braids recently and this sticky gel is the perfect flyaway tamer for pulled back looks or for slicking down baby hairs. At the advice of my hairstylist, I’ve found that the product is best applied by placing a small dab on the back of my hand and then using a flat firm toothbrush to pick up the products and glide on my hair in the direction it’s pulled back in.

MAKEUP: NARS Blush in “Orgasm” – $30: If I only had to pick 1 blush to keep in my makeup kit, VOILA! And I know I am not alone! This shimmery coral pink has long been my fave blush color because of its versatility as a peach or as a pink. I am not typically a big fan of shimmery blush since I feel it can often age you more if not applied properly. However, the shimmer in this blush is just the right amount to give you that glow from within without looking frosted. It also makes for the ideal blush for your travel kit. NARS makes a cream stick formulation of it as well (tip: great for a beach vacay)!

MAKEUP: RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner – $58: While I have yet to discover the Holy Grail of eyebrow growth products, this one has held me over temporarily. Over time, I noticed a darker brow and what appeared to be increased hair growth or perhaps thicker hairs that helped fill in my patchy eyebrows.